Best of Oprah

Like gazillions of other Americans, not to mention worldwide fans, I’m going to miss Oprah’s show. Although not a regular viewer, her show definitely garnered a larger share of my limited TV viewing time than most. I loved how she brazenly tackled subjects that might be considered risky, if not taboo, by other shows. I loved the exposure she provided to many in need of a fresh outlook by society. There was, of course, one that I loved the best.

Source: PurrPhotography

For the hundreds of thousands of troops on the ground, working tirelessly and feverishly against the effects of a set of big business operations that wreak havoc on our pet community, none of us could have achieved what Oprah did in just one hour. Bill Smith, the man behind a billboard pleading that Oprah dedicate a show to the issue, had one brilliant idea. It led to Oprah’s enormously popular show about the sources for acquiring a new dog, Lisa Ling’s investigation of puppy mills, and most importantly – a rise in awareness at a level never before seen. Oprah’s show had a way of doing that, and this was a cause certainly worth her time.

It was enormously gratifying to hear conversations about the subject, exclamations of disbelief, shock, and vows to never purchase a puppy from a store – among people who beforehand could absolutely not be convinced of this. An old friend of mine immediately went out and adopted a dog (she already had two) after watching Oprah’s show. Over the next couple of weeks, our rescue’s adoption events were swamped with people looking to adopt cats and dogs.

 It took the authority of an extremely powerful, popular and trusted television show host to drive the point home. A shame, I suppose, but human nature.  I personally didn’t care that this is what it took – as long as it actually did in fact make a difference. It did; the show opened eyes and hearts to the plights of dogs languishing in puppy mill situations. It convinced many to forever afterward choose to adopt, not shop. I was thrilled.

The only lament I have would have to be that with her show no longer on the air, there is also no possibility that she will run another one on the subject. But knowing that Oprah herself has learned of this awful part of our society, perhaps she will use her new venues to pursue this subject again. One can only hope. And in the meantime, dogs everywhere, and I myself, are grateful for her having done that show. She truly made a difference that day. And we can only hope that the message will not be forgotten, but passed onward.